Windows 11 Adds 2 Ways to Remove Copilot After April 2026 Update

5 articles · Updated · Lifehacker · May 27

Windows 11 users can now strip out Microsoft Copilot either through a new Group Policy setting or a third-party GitHub script that removes broader AI features.
The built-in option arrived with the April 2026 update and appears only on Windows 11 Pro or higher when both Copilot apps are present, the app was not manually installed, and it has not been launched in 28 days.
Group Policy can either remove the Copilot app under Windows AI settings or simply disable Windows Copilot without uninstalling it.
RemoveWindowsAI offers a wider fallback on any Windows 11 version, targeting Copilot and features such as Recall, though its developer warns some antivirus tools may flag the script.
The new removal paths follow user backlash that pushed Microsoft to roll back some "unnecessary" Copilot features, even as Windows still lacks a universal AI off switch.

Amid user backlash, why does Microsoft still refuse to offer a universal 'AI off switch' for Windows?

Is Microsoft's AI push about enhancing Windows or primarily about forcing a new hardware upgrade cycle?

With Ubuntu offering privacy-focused AI, can Microsoft's aggressive strategy win without losing user trust?